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GLORY AND ARMADALE SHARE SPOILS IN NPL

The NPL WA’s two out of form sides cancelled out each other at Alfred Skeet Reserve with Armadale and Perth Glory both scoring from the penalty spot in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

The NPL WA-s two out of form sides cancelled out each other at Alfred Skeet Reserve with Armadale and Perth Glory both scoring from the penalty spot in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Armadale got off to a bright start with the pacy Faustinho Machochi causing problems and winning the sixth-minute penalty that Jackson Bealey duly converted.

But Glory came back and won a spot kick of their own following a tug on Hanafi Ghazali, which captain Blamo Qua Qua slotted home with ease on 21 minutes.

Glory coach John Gibson was relieved his young team ended their run of nine successive defeats but felt they could have taken all three points had they shown some consistency in their play.

"We came to put a good performance in and we did that in patches,” Gibson said. “But potentially we leave ourselves open to get caught at silly moments. Happy with a point? No, not really.

"I thought we controlled the game and had a lot of possession. We had a lot of opportunities in the final third, but not many clear cut chances - we can be a lot better.”

Gibson's opposite number Lee Bamber declared himself happy with a point considering three of his key players - Alec Solomons, Mitch Castrilli and Billy Quinncroft - were suspended.

"I thought we did extremely well with a young side competing against the best youngsters in the state,” Bamber said.

“If we'd been clinical in the final third we could have got the three points. The lads that came in (to the side) proved that they can play at this level and they will improve. We just have to try and pick up as many points as possible from now until the season's end.”

Army came out of the blocks quickly as they searched for their first league win since March, registering the first shot on target within ten seconds as James Atkins- attempt was deflected over the bar.

And the home side's opening directness resulted in their penalty as Machochi weaved his way towards goal only to be brought to a halt right on the line of the penalty area.

Referee Steve Gregory had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Bealey stepped up with confidence to send Glory stopper Luke Radonich the wrong way after just six minutes.

Bealey saw a long-range strike whistle narrowly wide of the upright before the visitors were awarded a penalty, this time an Army defender pulling back Ghazali by the arm as he darted into the box.

Machochi continued to be Armadale's best hope of a break-through from open play with Gian Albano for Glory posing their biggest threat. But a combination of poor finishing and solid goalkeeping ensured these two would finish the day as the bottom clubs in the State's top flight.